A lion and a miniature sausage dog have formed an unlikely friendship after the little dog took the king of the jungle under his wing as a cub. Bonedigger, a five-year old male lion, and Milo, a seven-year old Dachshund, are so close that Milo helps the lion clean his teeth after dinner. The 500lbs lion dwarfs little Milo, yet after the dog took the disabled lion into his protection as a cub, Bonedigger has rarely left his side.
The two have been inseparable over the past five years at G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Bonedigger was born with a metabolic bone disease that left him mildly crippled.
He said: ‘This friendship between an 11 pound wiener dog and a 500 pound lion is the only of its kind in the world ever seen. Mr Reinke, who lost both his legs after a bungee jumping accident, added that the friendship between Bonedigger and his pack is unique. ‘He wouldn’t be so friendly with other dogs - it’s all down to them being pals since he was a cub. ‘ Milo often gives his best lion impression, copying Bonedigger’s ‘puffing’ - a deafening lion growl that can be heard over a mile away. Wild lions use it to communicate with other prides in their natural environment. ‘Milo does his best to copy Bonedigger when the lion tries puffing to communicate with other lions in the park ,’ added John. G.W. Exotic Animal Park has recently been affected by the deadly tornado that swept through Oklahoma on May 20th. The park was damaged and flooded, but is still managing to provide shelter for domestic and wild creatures that are homeless because of the storm.
